A man has died after climbing a Fife town’s Christmas tree and falling.
The accident occurred shortly before 3am on Friday outside Kirkcaldy Town House.
People nearby at Kitty’s nightclub went to the aid of the man, said to be in his 50s, and raised the alarm.
Paramedics desperately tried to save the casualty, who was unresponsive, at the scene but he sadly died later in hospital.
Police investigating the incident remained for several hours at the location, where the area around the 20ft fir has been cordoned off by police.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in Fife were called to a report of an unresponsive man in the Hunter Street area of Kirkcaldy around 2.55am on Friday, December 14.
“The man was treated at the scene then conveyed to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy by the Scottish Ambulance Service where he later sadly passed away.
“The death is being treated as non-suspicious and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 2:53am this morning to attend a patient in Hunter Street, Kirkcaldy.
“We dispatched two ambulance crews to the scene and a male patient in his 50s to Kirkcaldy Hospital.”
Fife Council employees arriving for work at the town’s administrative hub were met with the scene of police tape around the end of the building and officers standing guard.
The top of the tree, which was illuminated following a lantern parade last month, could be seen lying on the ground.
Access to the building, which is used by the public to access local services, is not affected.
Kirkcaldy Central councillor Alistair Cameron said: “This is dreadful news at any time of the year.”
Neil Crooks, chairman of the council’s Kirkcaldy area committee, said: “This is a tragic thing to happen at this time of year.
“Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”
The town’s MP, Lesley Laird, said: “This is tragic news, especially at Christmas, and my thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this time.”
